Plan your next getaway – Santa Ynez Marriott

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California is fortunate to have 300+ days of sunshine every year. However, there are occasional times when the sun can’t come out to play because the rain just won’t go away. It’s to those days that we dedicate this blog post.

Old Mission Santa Ines
Founded in 1804, the Santa Ines Mission has been a part of the Santa Ynez Valley from its very beginning. Today an active parish church, the mission is open to visitors and offers beautiful views of the Santa Ynez River Valley and the Santa Ynez and San Rafael mountain ranges as well as expansive gardens and grounds to roam.

Elverhoj Museum
Known as California’s “Little Denmark”, Solvang is steeped in Danish history, culture, food and tradition – all of which is celebrated at the Elverhoj Museum. The former home of one of Solvang’s most artistic families, the museum is free to tour with docents available as guides.

SYV Marriott Spa
Perfect for a peaceful afternoon, the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott Spa offers enough spa treatments including massages and facials to last through a monsoon season.

Hans Christian Andersen Museum
Author of more than 160 fairy tales, Hans Christian’s stories have been told to children around the world for generations. Learn more about this unforgettable storyteller at his Solvang museum.

Solvang Vintage Motorcycle MuseumCheck out a fascinating collection of rare and vintage motorcycles at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum! Even if it’s not your first visit – the museum regularly rotates the bikes on display so there’s always something new to see!

The Wildling Art Museum
The mission of the Wildling is to connect people with the wonder of America’s wilderness through great art. Featuring the wild places of North America through the talents of world renowned artists, the museum also regularly offers photography competitions, family art days and other community events.

Chumash Casino
Non-stop games including slots, table games, bingo and poker along with a regular line-up of entertainment including comedy, concerts and boxing fights means every day is a great day to visit Chumash Casino.

Brewery Tour
Although best known as California wine country, the Santa Ynez Valley is also home to a number of local breweries. And with a number of them featuring brewery tours and tasting sessions, a brewery hop sounds like a perfect plan for a rainy day!

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The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott has its own roster of rainy day activities to fill your unexpected day indoors. Sleeping-in won’t be difficult thanks to our relaxing Revive beds and a slow breakfast at our Starting Gate Restaurant will ease you into the day. Enjoy a massage in our spa and a haircut with our salon experience followed by an easy afternoon with our complimentary internet, game room, fitness center and lobby lounge.

You don’t have to be in the Santa Ynez Valley long before realizing that this is a special place. The nature is picturesque, the weather practically perfect and the pastimes, like bike riding, wine tasting and general life celebrating, are simply everyday events. Yet underneath those present day realities thrums a rich history of foreign culture and westward expansion that has shaped the valley into what is today.

Here’s a glance into the history of the Santa Ynez Valley.

The towns that make up the Santa Ynez Valley were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Ballard in 1881, Santa Ynez in 1882, Los Olivos in 1887, Solvang in 1911 and Buellton in 1920) and as each unique town formed, a new culture arrived in SYV.

Danish-American settlers brought their old world to a very new, undeveloped California in the early 1800s, creating a rich mix of the two in the town of Solvang. Danish for “sunny field,” Solvang remains a European treasure in the heart of California wine country complete with windmills overhead and a replica of Copenhagen’s Round Tower in the town center. Many of the town’s shops and restaurants, including Mortensen’s, Greenhouse Café and the Red Viking Restaurant, provide a taste of the old world while other Danish traditions including the Danish language, folk dancing, music and festivals keep the traditions alive. While in town, visit the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art as well as the Hans Christian Andersen Museum to put the finishing touches on your Danish cultural experience.

Starting in 1858, the Overland Coast Line Stagecoach helped grow the Santa Ynez Valley as it ran from San Francisco to Los Olivos and then on to Los Angeles, San Diego and finally Yuma, Arizona. As people traveled the line, economic activity poured into the towns making them true pictures of the West complete with saloons, blacksmiths and mercantile stores. Then, in 1887 the Pacific Coast Railroad helped bring more growth to the area by making it easier to transport large farming tools necessary for the area’s growing agricultural society.

An ideal climate for crops, the area first thrived with cattle and sheep as well as the growing of olives, peaches, walnuts, prunes, apples and cherries. At the time of Prohibition, roughly 500 acres of the valley were used for vineyards. It took nearly four decades after the repeal for the area’s wine culture to regenerate, but today nearly 20% of the valley’s land is under vines.
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In an era of non-stop text-messaging, virtual reality and on-line everything, finding avenues to live tangibly can be somewhat challenging. Fortunately, there are over 17.500 key places in the U.S. that can help bridge the gap between the virtual and tangible…museums. Consider becoming an explorer of humanity for the day or even a just few hours. Why not take advantage of these simple yet unique opportunities to learn about our past, present and potential future. Be inspired & enriched, support community and take part in a real cultural conversation!

Santa Ynez Valley Museum Week

The enchanting towns of the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos, Buellton and Solvang are kicking off a week of museum celebration with a FREE museum day Saturday March 3. This Fifth Annual Museum Week runs from March 3 – 10 and offers an opportunity for your whole family to explore art, history and cultural inspiration in the valley’s local museums and feature many special events for the week. Sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Hotel Association, the following museums will be participating:

Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Carriage House traces Santa Ynez Valley history from the early Chumash Indians through its 20th-century ranching days. It boasts the largest collection of American made horse-drawn carriages in the Western US. Educational presentations, tours, exhibits and special celebrate bountiful Santa Ynez Valley history. Activities include Chumash rock painting and other activities in the courtyard for the kids throughout the day, the ever popular 1906 Cretor Popcorn Wagon in front of the Museum popping up fresh, free popcorn for visitors, and 30 minute Carriage House tours at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.

The Wildling Art Museum in Solvang is truly where art and nature meet! The Wildling’s mission connects people with the wonder of America’s wilderness through great art. The museum offers nature-related classes, special events and rotating exhibits throughout the year. On Museum Day, the museum will have free art craft activities for children.

The Elverhøj Museum of History & Art showcases Solvang’s rich history and the Danish-American pioneer spirit of the town’s founders. Museum Day events include living history demonstrations throughout the day and interactive activities for all ages. There will be a panel discussion titled “Themes and Variations.” at 4pm with artists whose work is in the “Original/Multiple” exhibition currently on display in the museum gallery.

Old Mission Santa Ines Museum, Solvang. Founded in 1804 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the 19th in the chain of 21 Missions throughout California, Mission Santa Inés proudly possess a collection of paintings, statuary, vestments, manuscripts, and artifacts used in and around the Mission throughout its history.

Hans Christian Andersen Museum, Solvang. Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), is considered the “father of the modern fairy tale.” “The Ugly Duckling”, “The Little Mermaid”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “The Princess and the Pea” are favorites among his more than 150 tales. The museum, filled to the rafters with copies of Andersen’s books, sketches, silhouettes and memorabilia, is housed in a second story garret above The Book Loft.

Los Alamos Valley Historical Display & Depot features exhibits in the vintage T &T Building & Train Depot. Learn about the history behind this western town established by ranchers John Bell and James Shaw in 1876 as the United States celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Buellton Historical Society History Room, offers a glimpse into the past of this charming ‘Service Town USA’ and the Buell Ranch. Conveniently located in Andersen’s Pea Soup Restaurant above the gift shop, stop in for a bit of history and a cup of the famous soup!

Make it a midweek rendezvous or a weekend immersion in the Santa Ynez Valley’s Museum Week celebration. Book your stay at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, making it your home-base for museum exploration perhaps coupled with a bit of world-class wine tasting.